应用超声检查评价高血压患者血管僵硬度与心功能的关系

Objective To assess the relationship between arterial stiffness and heart function in patients with hypertension using ultrasonography. Methods A total of 167 patients with hypertension and 165 controls were enrolled, and the parameters of arterial stiffness and heart function were measured and calculated. The results were analyzed and compared. Results The ratio of peak early-diastolic mitral orifice flow velocity and peak early-diastolic mitral annular velocity in left ventricular posterior wall (E/e), and Tei index were significantly higher in hypertension group than in controls(E/e: 10.92±3.14 vs. 7.70 ±1.56, Teiindex: 0.58±0.13 vs. 0.45±0.09, both P＜0.05), but there was no significant difference in ejection fraction (EF) between the two groups. In hypertension group, the parameters of arterial stiffness including β value, pressure-strain elastic modulus (Ep), pulse wave velocity (PWVβ) and arterial compliance were 11.0±5.2, (172.6±83.8)kPa, (7.8±1.6) m/s and (0.6±0.2) mm2/ kPa. In control group, the corresponding data were 7.5±3.0, (97.1±45.4) kPa, (5.9±1.3) m/s and (0.8±0.3) mm2/kPa. There were significant differences between the two groups (all P＜0.05). The E/e was positively correlated with Ep and PWVβ(γ=0.316 and 0.296, both P＜0.05). The Tei index was positively correlated with Ep,augmentation index (AI) and PWVβ(γ=0.278, 0.300 and 0.323, P＜0.05-0.01). There was no significant correlation between EF and arterial stiffness. Conclusions The arterial stiffness and damage of heart function can result from hypertension. The arterial stiffness can be one of monitoring indexes for the heart function damage in early time.     

Elevated radial arterial augmentation index in hypertensive patients with diastolic dysfunction

Objective To investigate the correlation between augmentation index (AI) of the radial artery and diastolic heart function in patients with hypertension.Methods Echocardiographs were obtained for 305 patients with hypertension.AI,pulse wave velocity (PWV) of peripheral arteries and serum pro-brain natriuretic peptide (proBNP) levels were determined.Correlations and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were drawn between AI values and impaired diastolic function.Results AI levels were significantly increased in patients with impaired diastolic function diagnosed by ultrasound.Assessment of diastolic heart function based on proBNP levels revealed that AI and aortic pulse wave velocity were significantly elevated in patients with impaired diastolic function.The operating curve indicated that AI may be a more accurate and efficient index for the evaluation of impaired diastolic function compared to pWV.Correlation analysis also showed that proBNP levels had altered in parallel with changes in AI and PWV.After adjusting for various factors including age,gender,blood pressure and blood lipid,a positive correlation was observed between proBNP and AI with a correlation coefficient of 0.3697 (P =0.003).However,no correlation between proBNP and aortic PWV was seen after adjustment.Conclusions Changes in radial AI levels may reflect parallel changes in diastolic cardiac function in patients with hypertension,suggesting that AI may be utilized as a non-invasive clinical indicator of diastolic heart function.     

A Study on Changes of the Plasma Endothelin Level in Patients with Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Objectives To evaluate the changes of the plasma endothelin level in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy, and to investigate the relationship between the plasma endothelin level and the severity of heart failure, heart size, left ventricular function and with or not with pulmonary arterial hypertension; the changes of the plasma endothelin level before and after treatment. Methods The plasma endothelin level of 30 patients with DCM, 30 healthy control subjects, and their LVEF, PAP, heart size, plasma endothelin level before and after treatment were determined. Results The plasma endothelin level in DCM group was significantly higher than that in control group ( 135.93 ± 70. 65pg/mL) vs(43.65 ± 12.07pg/mL), P < 0.05 ; there was a correlation between ET level and heart size ( r = O. 4580, P = 0. 0109 ) ; there was a significant negative correlation between LVEF of DCM and ET level( r = -0. 6922 ,P =0. 0021 ) ;and it was a significant positive correlation between ET level and pulmonary arterial hyperten     

Association of glomerular filtration rate with arterial stiffness in Chinese women with normal to mildly impaired renal function

Objective Both decreased glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and arterial stiffness were considered as risk factors for atherosclerosis. Previous studies have suggested the association between central arterial stiffness and the degree of GFR loss. Whether decreased GFR contributes to peripheral artery stiffness remains controversial. Moreover, data analyzed from a cohort of Chinese women are rare. Our aim was to explore the relationship between GFR and regional arterial stiffness in Chinese women. Methods In this cross-sectional study, we randomly recruited 1131 adult women residents with GFR ≥ 60 mL/minutes per 1.73 m2 estimated by the Chinese Modification of Diet in Renal Disease equation from three large communities. Central and peripheral arterial stiffness were estimated simultaneously by measuring carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWVcf) and carotid-radial PWV (PWVcr) using a validated automatic device. Augmentation Index at heart rate 75 beats/min (AIx-75) was measured by pulse wave analysis as a composite parameter reflecting both large and distal arterial properties. Results The mean estimated GFR (eGFR) of the study group was 100.05 ± 23.26 mL/minute per 1.73 m2. Subjects were grouped by tertiles of eGFR level. PWVcf and AIx-75 increased ongoing from the top to the bottom eGFR tertile, while the values of PWVcr were comparable. Both univariate Pearson correlations and multiple stepwise regression analyses showed that eGFR significantly correlated to PWVcf, but not to PWVcr and AIx-75. Conclusions In Chinese women with normal to mildly impaired renal function, decreased eGFR affected carotid-to-femoral rather than carotid-to-radial stiffening. This provides rational to conduct future prospective studies to investigate predictors of atherosclerosis in this population.     

Value of cardiovascular interaction by exercise echocardiography according to gender

Background The cardiovascular interaction is important for the heart to achieve maximal cardiac work.The cardiovascular stiffness contributes to exercise intolerance. However, the difference in cardiovascular stiff-ness between genders is seldom reported when the objects do exercise. This study was to evaluate the ventricu-lar and arterial stiffness at rest and exercise according to gender. Methods Forty healthy volunteers were studied. The left ventricular function, structure and blood flow were measured by echocardiograph at rest and exercise. The derived variables including left ventricular end-systolic and diastolic elastance（Ees and Ed）, arterial elastance（Ea）, ventricular-vascular coupling index（VVI） and total stiffness index（TSI） were calculated.Results During exercise, all of the Ed, Ees, Ea and TSI showed significant increase, but VVI was no difference compared with them at rest. Both at rest and exercise, Ed, VVI and TSI had significantly higher in women than in men. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curves showed the area of Ed, Ees, Ea and TSI was greater than that of VVI. There were significant differences in Ed, Ees, Ea and TSI（P 〈 0.05）, but no significant difference in VVI（P 〉 0.05） between rest and exercise. Only in women, the Ed, Ees and Ea were correlated with the TSI, rate pressure product, E/e and EF. Conclusions Exercise leads to synchronous increase in ventricular and arterial stiffness, and ventriculoarterial coupling is maintained for healthy objects. The exercise intolerance is lower in women than in men.     

Association between serum homocysteine and arterial stiffness in elderly: a community-based study

Background Arterial stiffness and homocysteine are both powerful predictors of cardiovascular disease, especially in older popula tions. Previous studies have investigated the association of homocysteine with arterial stiffness in human subjects, while the relationship between homocysteine and arterial stiffness in the elderly is still indefinite. The current study examined the association of homocysteine with arterial stiffness in Chinese community-based elderly persons. Methods We related serum levels of homocysteine to two measures of arte- rial stiffness （carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity （PWV） and carotid-radial PWV） in 780 participants （46.3% men, mean age 71.9 years （ranging 65-96 years old）） from two communities of Beijing, China. Arterial stiffness were measured within two days of the time of bio- marker measurement. Results In multiple-adjusted models, homocysteine levels was strongly associated with the carotid-femoral PWV （standardized 13 = 0.13, P 〈 0.001）, even after adjustment for classical risk factors of cardiovascular disease. The association is also stronger when the carotid-femoral PWV is elevated above normal, whereas no significant association with homocysteine was observed for ca-rotid-radial PWV. Conclusions In Chinese elderly persons, serum homocysteine levels are associated with alterations of aortic stiffness.     

Value of portal hemodynamics and hypersplenism in cirrhosis staging

AIM: To determine the correlation between portal hemodynamics and spleen function among different grades of cirrhosis and verify its significance in cirrhosis staging. METHODS: The portal and splenic vein hemodynamics and spleen size were investigated by ultrasonography in consecutive 38 cirrhotic patients with cirrhosis (Child's grades A to C) and 20 normal controls. The differences were compared in portal vein diameter and flow velocity between patients with and without ascites and between patients with mild and severe esophageal varices. The correlation between peripheral blood cell counts and Child's grades was also determined. RESULTS: The portal flow velocity and volume were significantly lower in patients with Child's C (12.25±1.67 cm/s vs 788.59±234 mm/min, respectively) cirrhosis compared to controls (19.55±3.28 cm/s vs 1254.03±410 mm/min, respectively) and those with Child's A (18.5±3.02 cm/s vs 1358.48±384 mm/min, respectively) and Child's B (16.0±3.89 cm/s vs 1142.23±390 mm/min, respectively) cirrhosis. Patients with ascites had much lower portal flow velocity and volume (13.0±1.72 cm/s vs1078±533 mm/min) than those without ascites (18.6±2.60 cm/s vs1394±354 mm/min). There was no statistical difference between patients with mild and severe esophageal varices. The portal vein diameter was not significantly different among the above groups. There were significant differences in splenic vein diameter, flow velocity and white blood cell count, but not in spleen size, red blood cell and platelet counts among the various grades of cirrhosis. The spleen size was negatively correlated with red blood cell and platelet counts (r= -0.620 and r= -0.8.34, respectively). CONCLUSION: An optimal system that includes parameters representing the portal hemodynamics and spleen function should be proposed for cirrhosis staging.     

血糖异常的冠心病患者左室舒张功能与动脉僵硬度的关系

目的 通过测定左室舒张功能、动脉僵硬度,探讨糖尿病对冠心病患者左室舒张功能和动脉僵硬度的影响,及左室舒张功能与动脉倡硬度之间的相关性.方法 将患者分为对照组、单纯冠心病绀、冠心病合并糖尿病组3组.测得左室舒张末压力(LVEDP)、左室压力衰退时间常数(tan)等左室舒张功能指标及脉搏波速度(c-f PWV)、校正心率后反射波增强指数(AIx@75)等反映患者动脉僵硬度指标.结果 冠心病合并糖尿病组c-fPWV[(8.79±1.59)cm/s]显著高于对照组[(6.83±1.14)cm/s]及单纯冠心病组[(7.43±1.42)cm/s].相关性分析显示AIx@75同tau指数之间存在正性相关性联系.结论 合并糖尿病的冠心病患者同对照组及单纯冠心病组相比动脉僵硬度更差,舒张功能差异未显示出统计学意义;动脉僵硬度同舒张功能不全间可能存在着一定的相关性.

Abstract：

Objectives By measuring left ventricular diastolic function and arterial stiffness,this study aims to probe into the effect of diabetes mellitus(DM) on left ventricular diastolic function and arterial stiffness,and evaluate the correlation between left ventricular diastolic funotion and arterial stiffness.Methods Seventy-six inpatients were enrolled.According to their coronary angiography,OGTF test results and past history of DM,patients were divided into controlled,CHD(coronary heart disease with no DM),and CHD+DM groups.Through invasive hemodynamic monitoring during left ventricular angiography,left ventricular end-diastolic pressure(LVEDP)and tan index were collected.Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity(c-f PWV),reflected wave augmentation index (AIx@75) and other data reflecting the degree of arterial stiffness were collected bedside with non-invasive means.SPSS 18.0 was used for statistical analysis.Results No significant difference was found between groups for LVEDP,tau index,and AIx@75.In terms of c-f PMV,The CHD+DM group(8.79±1.59)cm/s differed significantly from the CHD group (7.43±1.42)cm/s and the controlled group(6.83±1.14)cm/s.No correlations were found between c-f PMV and LVEDP or tau index.A positive correlation was found between AIx@75 and tau index.Conclusions Compared with the controlled group and CHD patients with no DM,CHD+DM patients show worse arterial stiffness with no difference in ventricular diastolic function.There is a positive correlation between arterial stiffness and diastolic dysfunction.     

Association between serum homocysteine and arterial stiffness: role of anti-hypertensive drugs

To the Editor
I read the article of Zhang, et al. with great interest. They investigated the association of homocysteine with arterial stiffness in Chinese community-based elderly persons. The carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity （PWV） was significantly higher in the high homocyteine group than in the normal one, however, there was no differences in carotid-radial PWV between the high homocyteine group and the normal one. Homocysteine levels were strongly associated with the carotidfemoral PWV even after adjustment for classical risk factors of cardiovascular disease. I congratulate the authors for this important study. However, I want to make minor criticism for this study from the methodological aspect.     

小儿左心导管术后股动脉血栓形成的溶栓治疗

Objective The study was conducted to investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of fibrinolytic therapy for femoral artery thrombosis after left cardiac catheterization in children. Methods Thrombolytic therapy with urokinase was applied in 16 children (5 males) with femoral artery thrombosis after left cardiac catheterization. Patients were given a bolus injection of heparin, 100 U/kg. 30 000-100 000 U boluses of urokinase were injected intravenously, and then a continuous infusion of 10 000-50 000 U/h was started. Transcatheter thrombolysis was performed once previous procedures failed. Results All 16 patients presented lower limbs ischemia after left cardiac catheterizations. The age was (2. 6 ± 1.9) years,the height was (85.3 ± 13. 1) cm, the weight was (11.2 ±3.8) kg. Patients with cynosic and acynusic congenital heart disease were 2 and 14, respectively. Interventional therapy was performed in 12 patients. Absent arterial pulsations were found in 15 patients and reduced arterial pulsation in 1 patient. Femoral arterial perfusion became normal in all patients (3 after transcatheter thrombolysis, 11 post intravenous thrombolysis and 2 post intravenous heparin). The average doses of heparin and urokinase were (950 ±682)U and (295 357 ± 198 770)U. The average duration of therapy was (7.25 ±5.31 )h. Mild residual stenosis were found in 2 patients post various treatments. Conclusion Fibrinolytic therapy with urokinase is a safe and useful medality for children with femoral artery thrombosis after left cardiac catheterization.